Clasp



P. W. MURRAY.

CLASP.

APPLICATION FILED 0m. 2, 919.

1,340,284, m May 18, 1920.

PATENT OFFICE.

PETER W. MURRAY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

Patented May 18, 1920.

CLASP.

1,311O,284 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 2, 1919. Serial No. 327,835.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER 3V. MURRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo. in the county of Erie and State of New fork have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clasps. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in spring clasps especially adapted for use as shoe fasteners though not necessarily restricted to such use.

An important object of this invention is to provide a clasp especially adapted for use on shoes and provided with novel means for preventing parts of the clasp from engaging and tearing the clothing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe clasp having novel means whereby the meeting edges of shoes may be adjustably and quickly connected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe clasp which is ellicient, of highly simplified construction and desirable in use.

Other objects and advantages vcntion will be apparent during or" the following description.

in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like p ts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device applied;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. is a group perspective of the device detached Fig. 5 is a perspective of a slightly modified form of the invention.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numerals 5 and 6 designate a pair of sections adapted to have their adjacent edge portions detachably and adjustably connected. A plurality of preterably metallic base plates 7 are arranged in spaced relation along the inner edge portion of the section 5 and are secured to the same by rivets 8 or other suitable fastening devices.

When the base plate 7 is attached to a shoe, the same may be curved longitudinally to conform to the configuration of the foot.

the course of the inl he forward end portion of the base plate 7 is overlapped by a second locking plate 9 having its rear end portion provided with openings 10 receiving rivets 11 for securing the plate 9 to the section (5. As illustrated in detail in Fig. l the plate 9 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending spaced parallel struck-up ribs 12 having pairs of alining openings 13 in its opposite sides. A locking device 14 formed of round wire is bent intermediate its ends to form a coiled attaching loop 15 and a pair of outwardly diverging arms 16. The coiled attaching loop 15 receives a pivot element 16 extending through'the base plate 7 adjacent the forward end of the same. The outwardly diverging arms 16 have their forward end portions bent outwardly to provide locking lingers 17 adapted for insertion within the pairs of alining openings 13. The coiled loop 15 serves to urge the arms 16 outwardly and to secure the fingers 17 within the openings 13 when the clasp is in an operative position.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 the longitudinal sides of the plate 9 are provided with flanges 18 overhanging the terminals of the fingers 17 when the same are inserted through the openings 13. The overhanging flanges 18 serve to protect the fingers 17 and prevent the same from tearing the clothing or other articles with which they may come in contact. The overhanging flanges 18 also provide a smooth edge to the plate 9 so that the fingers will not be cut or otherwise lacerated by theedges of the plate 9 when tastening .or unfastening the device.

If desired the locking device 14 may be swung on its pivot to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 4 when not in use. When the locking device 14 is swung on its pivot to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. i the terminal portions 17 of the same are inserted within openings 19 for protecting the same andpreventing the terminal portions 17 from snagging the clothmg.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 5, the locking member 14 is mounted on an elongated attaching plate 20. The pivot 16 is extended through the coil of the member 14 and also supports an annular washer 21. As illustrated, the washer 21 has its outer surface curved transversely for presenting a smooth outer surface. The inner side of the washer is provided with radial grooves 22 which receive the arms 16 of the member 1a.

In applying the device to the meeting edges of a pair of shoes or other article, the plates 7 and 9 are riveted in the relative positions illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. lVhen it is desired to use the clasp, the terminal portions 17 of the locking device let may be inserted in any of the desired pairs of openings 13 for adjustably connecting the sections 5 and 6. \Vhen it is desired to open the clasp the spring arms 16 are pressed in wardly by the fingers to withdraw the terminal portions 17 from the openings 13. The locking device l l may now be swung on its pivot to the position illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. l and the terminal portions 17 may be inserted within the openings 19 in the locking plate 7 for preventing the exposure of the fingers 17.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same and that such minor changes may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A clasp including a plate provided with struck-up ribs having pairs of alining openings, a locking device having laterally projecting fingers adapted to be extended through said openings, and upwardly and inwardly extending flanges arranged in spaced parallel relation to said ribs and carried along the longitudinal edges of said plate, said flanges overhanging the end portions of said laterally projecting fingers where the same are extended through said openings.

2. A clasp including a plate having pairs of alining openings, a locking device having laterally projecting fingers adapted to be extended through said pairs of openings, and longitudinally extending flanges carried along the edges of the locking plate and overhanging the end portions of said laterally projecting fingers.

3. A clasp including a locking plate having pairs of spaced openings, a pivotally supported locking device having outwardly diverging arms provided with laterally extending terminals adapted to be engaged within said openings, and means to protect the terminals of said arms when the same are in an inoperative position.

at. A clasp including locking and base plates, said base plate being provided with a pair of spaced parallel struck-up ribs having pairs of alining openings in their sides, a locking device pivotally carried by said base plate and having a pair of spring arms provided with locking fingers adapted to be received within said openings, and means to protect said locking fingers, said base plate being provided with openings adapted to receive said fingers when the locking device is in inoperative position.

5. A clasp including a base plate, a looking device pivoted to the base plate and pro vided with a pair of outwardly diverging spring arms having their forward end portions bent outwardly to provide locking fingers, a locking element cooperating with the laterally projecting fingers, said base plate being provided with a pair of spaced openings adapted to receive said locking fingers in the same when in an inoperative position.

6. a clasp including a base plate, a pivot element carried by the base plate, a locking device formed of wire having its central por tion looped about said pivot and its end portions diverging outwardly for forming spring arms, and fingers carried by the ends of said spring arms and adapted to lock the device in position, the rear end portion of said base plate being provided with pairs of openings receiving said fingers.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

PETER W. MURRAY. 

